Changes

Solar powered [[electrical]] generation relies on [[heat]] engines and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics photovoltaics]. Solar energy's uses are [[limited]] only by [[human]] [[Invention|ingenuity]]. A partial list of solar [[applications]] includes space heating and cooling through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_architecture solar architecture], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potable_water potable water] via distillation and disinfection, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting daylighting], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_hot_water solar hot water], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cooking solar cooking], and high [[temperature]] [[process]] [[heat]] for industrial purposes.To [[harvest]] the solar energy, the most common way is to use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel solar panels].

Solar powered [[electrical]] generation relies on [[heat]] engines and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaics photovoltaics]. Solar energy's uses are [[limited]] only by [[human]] [[Invention|ingenuity]]. A partial list of solar [[applications]] includes space heating and cooling through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_architecture solar architecture], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potable_water potable water] via distillation and disinfection, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylighting daylighting], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_hot_water solar hot water], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cooking solar cooking], and high [[temperature]] [[process]] [[heat]] for industrial purposes.To [[harvest]] the solar energy, the most common way is to use [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_panel solar panels].

Solar [[technologies]] are broadly characterized as either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar passive solar] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_solar active solar] depending on the way they capture, [[convert]] and [[distribute]] solar energy. Active solar [[techniques]] include the use of photovoltaic panels and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_energy solar thermal collectors] to harness the [[energy]]. Passive solar techniques include [[orienting]] a building to the [[Sun]], selecting [[materials]] with favorable [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_mass thermal mass] or [[light]] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/images/Light_dispersion_conceptual.gif dispersing] properties, and [[designing]] spaces that [[naturally]] [[circulate]] air.

Solar [[technologies]] are broadly characterized as either [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_solar passive solar] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_solar active solar] depending on the way they capture, [[convert]] and [[distribute]] solar energy. Active solar [[techniques]] include the use of photovoltaic panels and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_thermal_energy solar thermal collectors] to harness the [[energy]]. Passive solar techniques include [[orienting]] a building to the [[Sun]], selecting [[materials]] with favorable [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_mass thermal mass] or [[light]] [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/images/Light_dispersion_conceptual.gif dispersing] properties, and [[designing]] spaces that [[naturally]] [[circulate]] air.

==Energy from the Sun==

==Energy from the Sun==

The [[Earth]] receives 174 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(power)#petawatt_.281015_watts.29 petawatts] (PW) of incoming solar [[radiation]] (insolation) at the upper [[atmosphere]]. Approximately 30% is [[reflected]] back to [[space]] while the rest is absorbed by clouds, [[oceans]] and land masses. The [[spectrum]] of solar light at the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]] is mostly spread across the [[visible]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-infrared near-infrared] ranges with a small part in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-ultraviolet near-ultraviolet].

The [[Earth]] receives 174 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(power)#petawatt_.281015_watts.29 petawatts] (PW) of incoming solar [[radiation]] (insolation) at the upper [[atmosphere]]. Approximately 30% is [[reflected]] back to [[space]] while the rest is absorbed by clouds, [[oceans]] and land masses. The [[spectrum]] of solar light at the [[Earth]]'s [[surface]] is mostly spread across the [[visible]] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-infrared near-infrared] ranges with a small part in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near-ultraviolet near-ultraviolet].